Ontario Investing $35 Million to Expand Art Gallery of Ontario

May 1, 2026

Funding will support Canadian heritage and culture at the AGO with 13 new galleries, welcoming 120,000 more visitors each year.

The Ontario government is protecting Canadian culture and identity by investing $35 million in new capital funding over two years to support the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO’s) expansion project, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery. Announced as part of the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, this new funding will support at least 13 new galleries across five floors, ensuring the gallery continues to showcase world-class artists from Canada and around the world.

“Through decades of innovation and artistic excellence, the AGO has earned its place as a world-class cultural institution, inspiring, educating and entertaining visitors from near and far,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “By supporting the AGO’s Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery expansion project, our government is protecting a true Ontario cultural treasure and strengthening its long-term success.”

The new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery represents a significant expansion at the AGO that will help the gallery welcome up to 120,000 additional visitors annually. With construction expected to be completed by Fall 2027, the project will expand the museum’s gallery space by 40,000 square feet, increasing the total space to display art by 30 per cent. The design features column-free galleries of various sizes and heights, offering flexible spaces that can shift from large, open spaces to multiple intimate galleries, depending on programming needs.

Combined with additional federal and private-sector funding, this $35-million provincial investment will unlock the full potential of this transformational project, supporting nearly 800 good-paying jobs and contributing $100 million to Ontario’s GDP.

“We must continue to leverage every competitive advantage Ontario has in order to build a resilient economy for future generations, including our growing tourism sector and the millions of visitors that our province’s cultural heritage attracts every year,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “This $35-million capital investment towards the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary gallery expansion project will not only help prepare the AGO for growing attendance numbers and greater revenues, but it will help ensure Ontario continues to be a hub for culture and tourism that draws visitors from around the world and fuels our local economies.”

The 2026 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario outlines how the government is advancing its plan to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive places to invest and do business in the G7, while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.

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